Martin Lundberg's Adventures in the Nordenskiöldsloppet

Martin Lundberg, hailing from Umeå, has braved the world's longest ski race, the Nordenskiöldsloppet, an impressive five times since its revival in 2016. This extreme challenge, rooted in history, unfolds north of the Arctic Circle, covering a grueling 220 kilometers from Purkijaur to Årrenjarka in Norrbotten. A documentary captures Martin and fellow competitors as they navigate this haunted landscape of snow and ice.

In a candid interview, Martin voiced his thoughts about the race's daunting nature and the isolation of the region, saying, "What the hell am I doing up here? Everything feels difficult." Despite missing the race in 2021—one of only six times it has been held in its modern iteration—Martin's dedication remained strong; he skied a considerable portion of the course shortly after the race commenced that year.

The Nordenskiöldsloppet has historic roots dating back to 1884, established by scientist Adolf Erik Nordenskiöld. After a long hiatus, the race was revived in 2016 to honor its original distance. However, due to mild weather that year, the race was condensed by 20 kilometers. Furthermore, there will be no race in 2023, as the main organizer has relocated from Jokkmokk. Martin is optimistic that a new organizer will emerge, allowing the race to continue its storied legacy.

In the meantime, Martin isn’t slowing down. He has set his sights on other ski competitions, with the Stora Vildmannaloppet in Umeå scheduled for January, followed by the Vasaloppet in spring 2023. Looking back at his experiences, Martin eagerly anticipates the return of the Nordenskiöldsloppet and the unique challenges it presents.